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Prewar uniform development:
When Adolf Hitler came to power as Chancellor of the German Nation on 30th January 1933 the National Army of Germany was the Reichsheer, a 'limited' Army of 100,000 troops allowed to Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. The uniform these troops wore was field-grey in colour and was an extension of the first Feld-uniform issued to the Imperial German Army on 15th September 1915.
With the addition of the 'new' National Emblem on the tunic and caps, and the Wehrmachtadler with the black, white and red tricolour on the steel helmet, the uniform of the Reichsheer continued to be used by the German Army for the next three or so years.
Image 1: Reichsheer Service Tunic
Image 2: 1936 Service Tunic
When Adolf Hitler came to power as Chancellor of the German Nation on 30th January 1933 the National Army of Germany was the Reichsheer, a 'limited' Army of 100,000 troops allowed to Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. The uniform these troops wore was field-grey in colour and was an extension of the first Feld-uniform issued to the Imperial German Army on 15th September 1915.
With the addition of the 'new' National Emblem on the tunic and caps, and the Wehrmachtadler with the black, white and red tricolour on the steel helmet, the uniform of the Reichsheer continued to be used by the German Army for the next three or so years.
Image 1: Reichsheer Service Tunic
In 1936, however, a year after the reintroduction of military conscription, new uniforms were introduced. The army in peacetime provided all its personnel with both a Dress Uniform (Waffenrock) and a Service Uniform (Dienstanzug) which, with the addition of field equipment, also served as a Field Uniform (Feldanzug).
Both these uniform styles were well designed, expertly manufactured with a remarkable degree of standardization and were universally issued and worn throughout the army. There was a very marked emphasis on the retention of traditional features incorporated into these uniforms as well as the accoutrements that were worn with them.
1936 was the year when the first of a number of important orders were set out which introduced new uniform features and - more important still - reintroduced earlier Imperial German Army accoutrements, many of which dated back to before World War I, and which, redesigned, were once again worn on the Army uniform. During the period of the Weimar Republic (1920-1933) various features of the German uniform were discontinued, the intention being to deliberately suppress the glorification of the armed forces, closely linked with the standing army permitted by the Treaty of Versailles. After 1933, however, under the National Socialist regime, the military authorities were responsible for the reintroduction of many Imperial and pre-lmperial features on the uniforms of the 'new' Wehrmacht thus emphasizing that the German soldier was bearing arms in a traditional role and for the honour of the German people.
Both these uniform styles were well designed, expertly manufactured with a remarkable degree of standardization and were universally issued and worn throughout the army. There was a very marked emphasis on the retention of traditional features incorporated into these uniforms as well as the accoutrements that were worn with them.
1936 was the year when the first of a number of important orders were set out which introduced new uniform features and - more important still - reintroduced earlier Imperial German Army accoutrements, many of which dated back to before World War I, and which, redesigned, were once again worn on the Army uniform. During the period of the Weimar Republic (1920-1933) various features of the German uniform were discontinued, the intention being to deliberately suppress the glorification of the armed forces, closely linked with the standing army permitted by the Treaty of Versailles. After 1933, however, under the National Socialist regime, the military authorities were responsible for the reintroduction of many Imperial and pre-lmperial features on the uniforms of the 'new' Wehrmacht thus emphasizing that the German soldier was bearing arms in a traditional role and for the honour of the German people.
Image 2: 1936 Service Tunic
Special uniforms were provided for armoured and mountain troops while suitable clothing items were furnished for wear by personnel engaged in various other specialized tasks or on duty in unusual weather conditions.
Economic factors had a great influence on these uniforms owing to anticipated strategic and production conditions. In particular the necessity of stockpiling wool and cotton in anticipation of adverse wartime conditions and shortages caused the Germans to mix about 20% of rayon with the wool of the uniform cloth. So carefully was this material prepared that the resultant clothing suffered little actual loss of thermal efficiency and wearing quality.
With the event of the Anschluss, Austrian troops were absorbed into the German Army. The Austrian Army field-grey uniforms, which dated back to World War I, were modified and, with the use of the German National Emblem and rank insignia, continued to be worn for some time until they were finally replaced with the standard pattern German Army uniforms.
Article & photos from:
Book: German Army Uniforms and Insignia 1933-1945
All right reserved. @Copyright Brockhampton Press 1998
With the event of the Anschluss, Austrian troops were absorbed into the German Army. The Austrian Army field-grey uniforms, which dated back to World War I, were modified and, with the use of the German National Emblem and rank insignia, continued to be worn for some time until they were finally replaced with the standard pattern German Army uniforms.
Article & photos from:
Book: German Army Uniforms and Insignia 1933-1945
All right reserved. @Copyright Brockhampton Press 1998
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